CN110262680B

CN110262680B - Touch sensor and display device including the same

Info

Publication number: CN110262680B
Application number: CN201910172349.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李贤载; 李康源; 李寅湳; 金英植
Original assignee: Samsung Display Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Display Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-12
Filing date: 2019-03-07
Publication date: 2024-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-07
Also published as: KR102452527B1; CN110262680A; US20190278408A1; US10572051B2; KR20190107774A

Abstract

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, there are provided a touch sensor and a display device including the same. The touch sensor includes: a first substrate; a plurality of sensor electrodes spaced apart from each other on a first layer on one surface of the first substrate; a plurality of sensor lines disposed on a second layer different from the first layer; a contact portion electrically connecting a sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes to a sensor line of the plurality of sensor lines; and branch wirings overlapping the sensor electrodes and connecting contact portions corresponding to the sensor electrodes to each other.

Description

Touch sensor and display device including the same

The present application claims priority and benefit from korean patent application No. 10-2018-0028590 filed on 3.12 of 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if set forth herein.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments/implementations of the invention relate generally to a touch sensor and a display device including the same.

Background

Recently, display devices including touch sensors have been generally released to provide more convenient input means. For example, a touch sensor is attached to a surface of a display panel or is integrally manufactured with the display panel to sense a touch input.

The above information disclosed in this background section is only for an understanding of the background of the inventive concept and, therefore, it may contain information that does not form the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

The device constructed according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention provides a touch sensor having uniform visual characteristics while sensing a touch input with high sensitivity, and a display device including the same.

Additional features of the inventive concepts will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, a touch sensor includes: a first substrate; a plurality of sensor electrodes spaced apart from each other on a first layer on one surface of the first substrate; a plurality of sensor lines disposed on a second layer different from the first layer; a contact portion electrically connecting a sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes to a sensor line of the plurality of sensor lines; and branch wirings overlapping the sensor electrodes and connecting contact portions corresponding to the sensor electrodes to each other.

The touch sensor may further include: conductive patterns, which are respectively and independently disposed on the contact portions, and are electrically connected to the sensor electrodes.

The branch wirings may be integrally connected to the conductive patterns on the sensor electrodes.

Each of the conductive patterns may entirely cover an upper surface of each of the contact portions, and may have an area larger than an area of each of the contact portions.

The plurality of sensor electrodes may extend or be arranged in a first direction and a second direction.

The conductive patterns may be arranged in the first direction or the second direction.

The conductive pattern may be arranged in an oblique direction oblique to the first direction and the second direction.

The conductive pattern may have a first width and a second width in the first direction and the second direction, respectively; and the first width may be equal to the second width.

The branch wirings may be integrally connected to the sensor lines accordingly.

The region of each of the branch wirings may be inclined with respect to the direction in which the plurality of sensor electrodes are arranged, or may be bent or curved at least at one point.

Each of the branch wirings may include a plurality of sub-wiring portions, and each of the plurality of sub-wiring portions may connect at least two of the contact portions to each other or one of the contact portions to a corresponding sensor line.

The touch sensor may further include at least one of a first insulating layer interposed between the first substrate and the plurality of sensor electrodes and a second insulating layer interposed between the plurality of sensor electrodes and the plurality of sensor lines.

The plurality of sensor lines may be disposed between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, and the plurality of sensor electrodes may be located on top of the second insulating layer.

The plurality of sensor electrodes may be disposed between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, and the plurality of sensor lines may be located on top of the second insulating layer.

The touch sensor may further include a third insulating layer on the plurality of sensor electrodes and the plurality of sensor lines.

The touch sensor may further include: a second substrate disposed on the other surface of the first substrate; and a bonding member disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.

The plurality of sensor electrodes may be arranged in a matrix form along the first direction and the second direction.

The plurality of sensor electrodes may include: a first electrode arranged along a first direction and each extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction; and second electrodes disposed between the first electrodes to be spaced apart from the first electrodes, the second electrodes being divided into a smaller size than the first electrodes, and being arranged in plurality in a first direction and a second direction, respectively.

According to one or more embodiments of the invention, a display device includes: a pixel disposed in the display region; a plurality of sensor electrodes spaced apart from each other on a first layer in a sensing region overlapping the display region; a plurality of sensor lines disposed on a second layer different from the first layer; a contact portion electrically connecting a sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes to a sensor line of the plurality of sensor lines; and branch wirings overlapping the sensor electrodes and connecting contact portions corresponding to the sensor electrodes to each other.

The display device may further include: conductive patterns are independently provided on the contact portions, respectively, wherein the conductive patterns may be arranged in an oblique direction oblique to the width direction and the length direction of the pixels.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 illustrates a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cross section taken along section line I-I' of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cross section taken along section line I-I' of FIG. 2.

Fig. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a section taken along section line I-I' of fig. 2.

Fig. 6 illustrates a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a section taken along section line II-II' of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a section taken along section line II-II' of fig. 6.

Fig. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the conductive pattern shown in fig. 6, respectively.

Fig. 12 illustrates a display unit according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 13 illustrates a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of a section taken along section line III-III' of fig. 13.

Fig. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 18, 19, 20, and 21 illustrate a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 22 illustrates a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the invention. As used herein, "examples" and "implementations" are interchangeable words, "examples" and "implementations" are non-limiting examples of apparatus or methods that apply one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. It may be evident, however, that the various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, the various exemplary embodiments may be different, but are not necessarily exclusive. For example, the particular shapes, configurations, and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concept.

Unless otherwise indicated, the exemplary embodiments shown are to be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail to some extent in which the inventive concept may be practiced. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects, etc. (hereinafter singly or collectively referred to as "elements") of the various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading is generally provided in the drawings to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements. As such, unless stated otherwise, the presence or absence of cross-hatching or shading does not convey or represent any preference or requirement for a particular material, material property, dimension, proportion, commonality between illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic, attribute, property, or the like. In addition, in the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and/or description. While the exemplary embodiments may be practiced differently, the specific process sequence may be performed differently than as described. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially simultaneously or in reverse order from that described. Furthermore, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. To this extent, the term "connected" can refer to a physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection with or without an intervening element. Further, the X-direction and the Y-direction are not limited to the axes of the rectangular coordinate system, such as the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the z-axis, and can be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the X-direction and the Y-direction may be perpendicular to each other, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other. For the purposes of this disclosure, "at least one of X, Y and Z (or, species)" and "at least one of the choices from the group consisting of X, Y and Z (or, species)" may be interpreted as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y and Z, such as XYZ, XYY, YZ and ZZ, for example. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms such as "under … …," "under … …," "under … …," "lower," "over … …," "upper," "on … …," "higher," "side" (e.g., as in "sidewall") and the like may be used herein for descriptive purposes to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. In addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings, the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation, and/or manufacture. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below … …" may include both upper and lower orientations. Furthermore, the device may be otherwise positioned (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, when the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" and/or variations thereof are used in the present specification, it is stated that there is a stated feature, integer, step, operation, element, component and/or group thereof, but it does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and other similar terms are used as approximation terms and not as degree terms, and as such are used to explain inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or provided values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional and/or exploded views as schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations in the shape of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily to be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. In this way, the regions illustrated in the figures may be schematic in nature and the shapes of the regions may not reflect the precise shape of a region of a device and are thus not necessarily intended to be limiting.

In accordance with practices in the art, some example embodiments are described in terms of functional blocks, units, and/or modules and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the functional blocks, units, and/or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits (such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hardwired circuits, memory elements, wired connections, or the like) that may be formed using semiconductor-based manufacturing techniques or other manufacturing techniques. Where the blocks, units, and/or modules are implemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, they may be programmed and controlled using software (e.g., microcode) to perform the various functions discussed herein, and the blocks, units, and/or modules may optionally be driven by firmware and/or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit, and/or module may be implemented with dedicated hardware, or as a combination of dedicated hardware performing certain functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuits) performing other functions. Furthermore, each block, unit, and/or module of some example embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interactive and discrete blocks, units, and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, blocks, units, and/or modules of some example embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks, units, and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Unless specifically defined as such herein, terms (such as terms defined in a general dictionary) should be construed to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art. However, the embodiments described below are merely illustrative, regardless of whether they are expressed. That is, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below, but may be implemented in various forms. In the following description, when it is assumed that a certain part is connected to another part, this includes not only the case where they are directly connected but also the case where they are connected with another device therebetween.

In the drawings, some elements not directly related to features of the present disclosure may be omitted to clearly explain the present disclosure. In addition, some elements in the drawings may be shown exaggerated in size or proportion. In the drawings, identical or similar elements are indicated by identical reference numerals and symbols as far as possible even though they are illustrated in different drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a display device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. According to an exemplary embodiment, a display device 1 including a self-capacitance touch sensor is illustrated in fig. 1, but the kind or type of touch sensor applied to the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to fig. 1, a display device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a panel unit 10 and a driving circuit 20 for driving the panel unit 10. According to an exemplary embodiment, the panel unit 10 includes a sensor unit (e.g., a touch screen or a touch sensing device) 100 for sensing a touch input and a display unit (e.g., a display panel) 200 for displaying an image. The panel unit 10 may also be referred to as a "panel" or "panel portion". The sensor unit 100 may also be referred to as a "sensor panel" or a "sensor portion", and the display unit 200 may also be referred to as a "display panel" or a "display portion". The driving circuit 20 includes a sensor driver 300 for driving the sensor unit 100 and a display driver 400 for driving the display unit 200. The sensor driver 300 may also be referred to as a "sensor driving circuit" or a "touch IC (T-IC)", and the display driver 400 may also be referred to as a "display driving circuit" or a "display IC (D-IC)". According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor unit 100 and the sensor driver 300 may constitute a sensor (also referred to as a "sensing unit", "sensing device", or "sensing module", etc.) such as a touch sensor, and the display unit 200 and the display driver 400 may constitute a display (also referred to as a "display unit", "display device", or "display module", etc.).

According to an exemplary embodiment, after the sensor unit 100 and the display unit 200 are manufactured separately from each other, the sensor unit 100 and the display unit 200 may be arranged and/or combined to at least partially overlap each other. For example, the sensor unit 100 may be formed on a separate sensor substrate (or first substrate) 110, and then may be attached to one surface of the display unit 200 by a lamination method or the like.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor unit 100 and the display unit 200 may be integrally formed or manufactured. For example, the sensor unit 100 may be formed directly on at least one substrate or layer (e.g., an upper substrate and/or a lower substrate of a display panel or a thin film encapsulation layer (TFE)) or directly on another insulating layer or one of various functional layers (e.g., an optical layer such as a polarizing layer or a protective layer).

Fig. 1 shows that the sensor unit 100 is disposed at a front surface (e.g., an upper surface of a display image) of the display unit 200, but the position of the sensor unit 100 is not limited thereto. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor unit 100 may be disposed at a rear surface or both sides of the display unit 200. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor unit 100 may be disposed in at least one edge region of the display unit 200.

The sensor unit 100 includes a sensor substrate 110 and a plurality of sensor electrodes 120 disposed on one surface (e.g., an upper surface) of the sensor substrate 110. Each of the sensor electrodes 120 is connected to at least one sensor line 130.

The sensor substrate 110 may be a substrate for forming various components (e.g., sensor patterns) of the sensor unit 100, and may include at least one substrate member. For example, the sensor substrate 110 may be a single first substrate.

The sensing region SA and the peripheral region NSA may be defined on the sensor substrate 110. The sensing area SA may be an area capable of sensing a touch input, and the peripheral area NSA may be a remaining area other than the sensing area SA and may be set as an outer area surrounding the sensing area SA.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensing area SA may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the display area DA. For example, the sensing region SA may be set as a region (or area) corresponding to the display region DA (e.g., a region overlapping the display region DA), and the peripheral region NSA may be set as a region corresponding to the non-display region NDA (e.g., a region overlapping the non-display region NDA). In this case, when a touch input is provided in the display area DA, the touch input may be sensed or detected by the sensor unit 100.

The sensor substrate 110 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and may be configured with at least one insulating layer. Further, the sensor substrate 110 may be a transparent or translucent light-transmitting substrate, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, in the present disclosure, the material and properties of the sensor substrate 110 are not particularly limited. For example, the sensor substrate 110 may be a rigid substrate constructed of glass or tempered glass, or a flexible substrate constructed of a thin film made of plastic or metal. Further, according to an exemplary embodiment, at least one substrate (e.g., the display substrate 210, the encapsulation substrate, and/or the thin film encapsulation layer) constituting the display unit 200 or at least one insulating layer or functional layer disposed inside the display unit 200 and/or at an outer surface of the display unit 200 may be used as the sensor substrate 110. In addition, the sensor substrate 110 may be a single-layer substrate, or may be a multi-layer substrate in which a plurality of substrates are assembled and/or combined.

The sensing area SA is set as an area that can react to a touch input. That is, the sensing area SA may be an effective area of the touch sensor. To this end, a sensor electrode 120 for sensing a touch input may be disposed in the sensing area SA.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrode 120 is an element for sensing a change in a characteristic of a touch signal (e.g., a touch driving signal and/or a touch sensing signal) caused by a user or an environmental change. The sensor electrode 120 is disposed in the sensing region SA on the sensor substrate 110. For example, the sensor electrodes 120 may be independently and/or separately formed and/or disposed to be spaced apart from each other on the same layer on the sensor substrate 110.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrodes 120 may be uniformly distributed (or dispersed) in the sensing region SA. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrodes 120 may be irregularly or unevenly distributed in the sensing region SA, or may be distributed at different densities and/or sizes for each portion of the sensing region SA.

For example, when the touch sensor is a point-type self-capacitance touch sensor, the sensor electrodes 120 may be uniformly distributed at the respective coordinates in a first direction (e.g., X-direction) and a second direction (e.g., Y-direction). However, the size, shape, arrangement, and/or distribution form of the sensor electrodes 120 are not particularly limited, and may be changed to various forms currently known.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the sensor electrodes 120 may have conductivity by including at least one of a metallic material, a transparent conductive material, and various other conductive materials. For example, the sensor electrode 120 may include at least one of various metal materials including gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), etc., or any alloy thereof. Further, the sensor electrode 120 may include at least one of various transparent conductive materials including silver nanowire (AgNW), indium Tin Oxide (ITO), indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), antimony Zinc Oxide (AZO), indium Tin Zinc Oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO ₂), carbon nanotube, graphene, and the like. In addition, the sensor electrode 120 may include at least one of various other conductive materials so as to have conductivity. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrode 120 may be formed through a process such as deposition and/or etching using a predetermined electrode material (i.e., a conductive material).

In addition, the sensor electrode 120 may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers, and the cross-sectional structure thereof is not particularly limited. For example, each of the sensor electrodes 120 may be formed of one or more transparent or translucent plate-like or mesh-like electrode layers having a predetermined transmittance range. Each of the sensor electrodes 120 may have a multi-layered structure in which plate electrode layers and mesh electrode layers are stacked. In addition, each of the sensor electrodes 120 may be formed of a translucent conductive material having a predetermined transmittance range, or may be formed of a conductive layer having a predetermined transmittance range by forming an opaque conductive material into a thin film. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the sensor electrodes 120 may be opaque, or may have an opaque conductive layer having mesh openings therein.

Each of the sensor electrodes 120 is physically and/or electrically connected to at least one sensor line 130. More specifically, each sensor line 130 between a corresponding sensor electrode 120 and a corresponding pad (or "pad") 152 electrically connects the sensor electrode 120 and the pad 152.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the sensor lines 130 may have conductivity by including at least one of a metallic material, a transparent conductive material, and various other conductive materials. Further, each of the sensor lines 130 may be formed of a translucent conductive material having a predetermined transmittance range, or may be formed of a conductive layer having a predetermined transmittance range by forming an opaque conductive material into a thin film. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the sensor lines 130 may be opaque, or may have an opaque conductive layer and mesh openings formed in the opaque conductive layer. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor line 130 may be formed through a process such as deposition and/or etching using a predetermined electrode material (i.e., a conductive material).

The sensor wire 130 may be disposed on a different layer than the sensor electrode 120, and at least one insulating layer is interposed between the sensor wire 130 and the sensor electrode 120. The pair of sensor electrodes 120 and the sensor line 130 corresponding to each other may be electrically connected to each other through at least one contact hole formed in the insulating layer. Thus, in exemplary embodiments, the size of the peripheral area NSA may be minimized or reduced. Further, even in the sensing region SA, the dead zone caused by the sensor lines 130 can be minimized or reduced, and the sensor electrodes 120 can be arranged at a greater density. A detailed description of the structure of the sensor unit 100 will be described later.

The display unit 200 includes a display substrate 210 and a plurality of pixels 220 disposed on the display substrate 210. The pixels 220 may be distributed in the display area DA on the display substrate 210.

The display substrate 210 includes a display area DA displaying an image and a non-display area NDA disposed in the periphery of the display area DA. According to an exemplary embodiment, the display area DA may be disposed in a center area of the display unit 200, and the non-display area NDA may be disposed in an edge area of the display unit 200 to surround the display area DA. However, the positions of the display area DA and the non-display area NDA are not limited thereto.

The display substrate 210 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and the material or properties of the display substrate 210 are not particularly limited. For example, the display substrate 210 may be a rigid substrate constructed of glass or tempered glass, or a flexible substrate constructed of a thin film made of plastic or metal. In addition, the display substrate 210 may be configured with at least one other insulating layer.

The scan lines SL, the data lines DL, and the pixels 220 coupled to the scan lines SL and the data lines DL are disposed in the display area DA. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pixels 220 may be uniformly distributed in the display area DA. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pixels 220 may be distributed at different densities and/or sizes for each portion of the display area DA.

For example, the pixels 220 may be uniformly distributed in a matrix form in the display area DA along a first direction (e.g., an X direction) and a second direction (e.g., a Y direction). The pixels 220 may be distributed in the display area DA in various arrangements such as a bar or pen-tile (subpixel arrangement) shape. That is, the size, shape, arrangement, and/or distribution form of the pixels 220 are not particularly limited.

The pixel 220 is selected by a scan signal supplied from the scan line SL to be supplied with a data signal from the data line DL and emits light of a luminance corresponding to the data signal. Accordingly, an image corresponding to the data signal is displayed in the display area DA. In the present disclosure, the structure and driving method of the pixel 220 are not particularly limited. For example, each of the pixels 220 may have various structures and/or driving methods currently known in the art. As an example, the pixels 220 may be self-luminous type pixels each including at least one Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED). According to an exemplary embodiment, the pixel 220 may be a non-light-emitting pixel that controls the emission or transmission amount of light incident from an external light source using a liquid crystal layer or the like.

Various lines (also referred to as "wirings") and/or internal circuits connected or coupled to the pixels 220 in the display area DA may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. For example, a plurality of lines for supplying various driving power and driving signals to the display area DA may be disposed in the non-display area NDA. In addition, a scan driving circuit (i.e., a scan driver) or the like may be further disposed in the non-display area NDA.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the kind or type of the display unit 200 is not particularly limited. For example, the display unit 200 may be a self-luminous type display panel such as an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display panel or the like. According to an exemplary embodiment, the display unit 200 may be a non-light emitting display panel such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel or the like. When the display unit 200 is a non-light emitting display panel, the display apparatus 1 may additionally include a light source such as a backlight unit (BLU).

The driving circuit 20 includes a sensor driver 300 for driving the sensor unit 100 and a display driver 400 for driving the display unit 200. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor driver 300 and the display driver 400 may be separately constructed from each other, or at least portions of the sensor driver 300 and the display driver 400 may be integrated together in one driver IC.

The sensor driver 300 is electrically coupled to the sensor unit 100 to drive the sensor unit 100. For example, the sensor driver 300 may supply a driving signal (or a precharge voltage) to the sensor electrode 120 during a first period of a touch activation period (e.g., a touch sensing period) in which the touch sensor is activated. In addition, the sensor driver 300 may sense or detect the corresponding voltages of the sensor electrodes 120 during the second period of the touch activation period to detect a touch input. According to an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensor may be a mutual capacitance touch sensor, and the sensor electrodes 120 may be divided into driving electrodes and sensing electrodes. In this case, the sensor driver 300 may receive a sensing signal corresponding to a driving signal from the sensing electrode while supplying the driving signal to the driving electrode to detect a touch input.

The display driver 400 is electrically coupled to the display unit 200 to drive the pixels 220. For this, the display driver 400 may include a scan driver for supplying a scan signal to the scan lines SL, a data driver for supplying a data signal to the data lines DL, and a timing controller for controlling the scan driver and the data driver. According to an exemplary embodiment, the scan driver, the data driver, and/or the timing controller may be integrated in one display IC (D-IC), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, a scan driver, a data driver, and/or a timing controller may be embedded in the display unit 200.

The display device 1 described above includes a touch sensor including a sensor unit 100 and a sensor driver 300. Accordingly, the display device 1 can be used more conveniently. For example, the user can easily control the display apparatus 1 by touching the screen while viewing the image displayed in the display area DA.

Fig. 2 illustrates a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. Specifically, fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sensor unit 100A of a touch sensor. The touch sensor according to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2 may be embedded or constructed in various electronic devices such as the display device 1 of fig. 1. In fig. 2, components similar to or identical to those in fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions of components and/or configurations similar to or identical to those in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 1 in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2 will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 2, the sensor unit 100A according to the exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of sensor electrodes 120 disposed on one surface of a sensor substrate 110. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrodes 120 may have substantially the same size and may be uniformly distributed in the sensing region SA. The term "substantially identical" may mean here not only "exactly identical" but also "similar within an allowable error or tolerance range" in combination.

For example, the sensor electrodes 120 may have the same size within a predetermined error range (e.g., tolerance of process margin), and may be arranged in a matrix form along a first direction (e.g., X-direction) and a second direction (e.g., Y-direction). For example, the sensor electrodes 120 may be arranged at respective coordinates defined in the sensing region SA of the sensor substrate 110, and a plurality of respective sensor electrodes 120 may be arranged on each of the horizontal and vertical lines in the sensing region SA at uniform intervals (e.g., predetermined intervals each for the horizontal and vertical directions). Further, according to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrodes 120 may be formed and/or disposed on the same layer to be spaced apart from each other.

Each sensor electrode 120 is connected to at least one sensor wire 130 and electrically connected to at least one pad 152 through the sensor wire 130. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the sensor electrodes 120 may be disposed on a different layer from the corresponding sensor line 130, and may be physically and/or electrically connected to the corresponding sensor line 130 through at least one contact portion CNT. That is, according to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130 are disposed on different layers from each other and connected to each other through the corresponding contact portion CNT.

The pad unit 150 is disposed in an area of the sensor unit 100A (e.g., a peripheral area NSA at the lower end of the sensor unit 100A). Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment, a shield line (or ground line) 140 or the like may be additionally provided in at least one of the peripheral areas NSA. For example, the shield wire 140 or the like may be disposed to surround the outer circumference of the sensing area SA. However, additional wires may be selectively provided in the sensor unit 100A and may be omitted according to an exemplary embodiment.

The pad unit 150 includes a plurality of pads 152 connected to the corresponding sensor lines 130 or shield lines 140. The sensor unit 100A may be electrically connected to the sensor driver 300 through the pad unit 150.

Each pad 152 may have conductivity by including at least one of various conductive materials including a metal material. For example, each of the pads 152 may be made of one or more transparent, translucent, or opaque electrode materials (i.e., conductive materials). According to an exemplary embodiment, the pad 152 may be formed through a process such as deposition and/or etching using a predetermined electrode material (i.e., a conductive material).

According to the above-described embodiment, the layer provided with the sensor electrode 120 is separated from the layer provided with the sensor line 130. Accordingly, the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130 may be disposed to overlap each other. According to the present embodiment, dead space caused by the wiring region occupied by the sensor lines 130 can be eliminated or reduced, and the sensor electrodes 120 can be more densely arranged in the sensing region SA.

For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrode 120 may be disposed regardless of the area occupied by the sensor line 130. Accordingly, the sensor electrode 120 may be formed in a uniform size throughout the sensing region SA. For example, even in a lower end region (e.g., a last horizontal line in the sensing region SA) where a relatively large number of sensor lines 130 are disposed or passed, the sensor electrodes 120 having substantially the same size as the sensor electrodes 120 in an upper end region (e.g., a first horizontal line in the sensing region SA) where a relatively small number of sensor lines 130 are disposed or passed may be formed. Further, since the sensor electrodes 120 may be disposed at intervals sufficient to ensure electrical stability between adjacent sensor electrodes regardless of the area occupied by the sensor lines 130, the distance between the adjacent sensor electrodes 120 may be reduced. Thus, the minimum touch area required for touch detection can be reduced and even finer touch inputs can be detected. In addition, touch input can be detected with uniform and high sensitivity throughout the sensing area SA.

That is, according to the above-described embodiment, the proportion of the area in the sensor unit 100A where the sensor electrodes 120 are actually provided can be increased, and the interval between adjacent sensor electrodes 120 can be reduced or narrowed. Further, the sensor electrodes 120 may be formed in a uniform size (e.g., uniform shape and area). Accordingly, uniform sensitivity and visual characteristics can be ensured and higher touch sensitivity can be obtained in the entire sensing area SA.

In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to prevent or reduce occurrence of dead zones, which are difficult to detect a touch input, caused by the area where the sensor line 130 is disposed in the comparative embodiment in which the sensor line 130 is disposed between the respective adjacent sensor electrodes 120. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the limitation or restriction of the area occupied by the sensor lines 130 is relaxed, and the width of each of the sensor lines 130 may be larger than that in the comparative embodiment. Assuming that the width of each of the sensor electrodes 120 is about 4mm, for example, in the comparative example, and 38 sensor electrodes 120 are provided in each column, l/S (line/space, which is the sum of the width of each sensor line 130 and the distance between adjacent sensor lines 130) may be set to about 30 μm or less. According to an exemplary embodiment, since the dead zone caused by the sensor line 130 may be substantially removed or reduced, the L/S of the sensor line 130 may be lengthened, for example, to about 100 μm. Accordingly, RC delay generated in the sensor line 130 can be reduced. In this case, as the definition or restriction of the driving frequency band is relaxed, the driving frequency band (or driving frequency region) may be lengthened. Accordingly, by reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ensuring electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), the influence of noise can be minimized or reduced and touch sensitivity can be higher.

For similar reasons, in exemplary embodiments, the definition or limitation of the size and/or number of sensor electrodes 120 may be relaxed. Therefore, in the design process of the sensor unit 100A, the selection range can be made wide or diversified. Assuming, for example, that the width of each of the sensor electrodes 120 is about 4mm and the L/S of the sensor lines 130 is about 30 μm, each column in the sensor unit 100A may include a maximum of 133 sensor electrodes 120 and/or sensor lines 130.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the sensor line 130 may be directly wired to one end (e.g., lower end) of the peripheral area NSA where the pad unit 150 is disposed, instead of routing the sensor line 130 through the peripheral area NSA on both sides (e.g., left and right sides) of the sensing area SA. Accordingly, the width of the peripheral area NSA (e.g., the widths of the left and right frame areas) on both sides of the sensing area SA may be minimized or reduced, and the sensing area SA may be enlarged. So that a screen enlarging effect can be obtained.

Fig. 3 and 4 show exemplary embodiments of a section taken along section line I-I' of fig. 2, respectively. For example, fig. 3 and 4 illustrate different exemplary embodiments of layer positions of the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor wire 130 of fig. 2. In the description of the exemplary embodiments of fig. 3 and 4, a detailed description of the components described in fig. 2 will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the sensor electrode 120 may be disposed on the sensor line 130. For example, the sensor cell 100A may include a first insulating layer INS1, a sensor line 130, a second insulating layer INS2, a sensor electrode 120, and a third insulating layer INS3 sequentially disposed on one surface of the sensor substrate 110. Further, the sensor unit 100A may include a pad 152 formed on one region of the first insulating layer INS 1.

The first insulating layer INS1 may be interposed between the sensor substrate 110 and the sensor patterns (e.g., the sensor electrodes 120 and the sensor lines 130). The second insulation layer INS2 may be interposed between the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130. The third insulation layer INS3 may be disposed on the sensor pattern.

For example, the sensor line 130 may be disposed between the first insulating layer INS1 and the second insulating layer INS2, and the sensor electrode 120 may be disposed on the second insulating layer INS 2. In addition, the third insulating layer INS3 may be disposed on the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130, and may cover at least the sensor pattern in the sensing region SA.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first insulating layer INS1 may serve as a buffer layer, and the second insulating layer INS2 may serve as an interlayer insulating layer to prevent the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130 from being shorted in a region other than the contact portion CNT. The magnitude of parasitic capacitance formed between the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130 may be controlled by controlling the thickness and/or dielectric constant (e.g., constituent material) of the second insulating layer INS2, etc. The third insulating layer INS3 may serve as a protective layer that protects the sensor pattern from external impact or foreign substances and ensures physical and/or electrical stability of the sensor pattern.

In addition, each of the first, second, and third insulating layers INS1, INS2, and INS3 may have an optical function other than an insulating function. For example, the first, second and third insulating layers INS1, INS2 and INS3 may mitigate non-uniform visual characteristics of the sensing region SA that may occur due to the sensor pattern, thereby uniformly viewing the entire sensing region SA. For example, the thickness and/or material of each of the first, second, and third insulating layers INS1, INS2, INS3 may be adjusted or determined to enhance the canceling effect of the reflected light from the sensor electrode 120 and the reflected light from the sensor line 130, or to reduce the change in reflectance between the region where the sensor electrode 120 is disposed and the region between the sensor electrodes 120 by refractive index matching. Accordingly, pattern exposure of the sensor pattern (e.g., visualization of the sensor pattern) may be prevented or reduced, thereby ensuring uniform visual characteristics of the entire sensing area SA.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the first, second, and third insulating layers INS1, INS2, and INS3 may include at least one insulating material, and may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers. For example, each of the first, second, and third insulating layers INS1, INS2, and INS3 may include at least one of silicon oxide (SiO ₂), titanium oxide (TiO ₂), lithium fluoride (LiF), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂), magnesium fluoride (MaF ₂), silicon nitride (SiN _x), tantalum oxide (Ta ₂O₅), niobium oxide (Nb ₂O₅), silicon carbonitride (SiCN), molybdenum oxide (MoO _x), iron oxide (FeO _x), and chromium oxide (CrO _x), and may also be made of one or more other insulating materials.

Each of the first, second, and third insulating layers INS1, INS2, and INS3 may be formed by various insulating layer forming processes known so far. For example, each of the first, second, and third insulating layers INS1, INS2, and INS3 may be formed through a lamination process using a soft material or a flexible material as a lamination film, or through a spin coating or slot coating process using a solution type insulating material.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first insulating layer INS1 may be formed throughout an entire area on one surface of the sensor substrate 110, and the second and third insulating layers INS2 and INS3 may be formed in a partial area on the surface of the sensor substrate 110. For example, the second insulating layer INS2 and the third insulating layer INS3 may cover the sensor pattern in the sensing region SA, and may be removed from at least one region of the peripheral region NSA (specifically, the pad region PA) to expose the pad 152.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the first insulating layer INS1, the second insulating layer INS2, and the third insulating layer INS3 may not be provided. For example, the first insulating layer INS1 and/or the third insulating layer INS3 may be omitted.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor line 130 may extend from the sensing region SA to the pad region PA. For example, one end 152a of each of the sensor lines 130 extending into the pad region PA may constitute a multi-layered pad 152 together with at least one conductive layer 152b disposed on the top or bottom of the end 152 a. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the pads 152 may be a single conductive layer integrally or non-integrally connected with the corresponding sensor line 130. Further, each of the pads 152 may be formed to have various structures and/or shapes that are currently known.

Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment, each of the sensor electrodes 120 and the corresponding sensor lines 130 may be disposed on different layers and electrically connected to each other through at least one contact portion CNT. According to an exemplary embodiment, each contact portion CNT may include a contact hole CH formed in the second insulating layer INS2 and a conductive member CM embedded in the contact hole CH.

In detail, at least one contact hole CH corresponding to each sensor electrode 120 is formed in the second insulating layer INS 2. That is, a plurality of contact holes CH for electrical connection between the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130 may be formed in the second insulating layer INS 2. According to an exemplary embodiment, the contact hole CH may be formed through an etching process or the like.

The conductive member CM fills each of the contact holes CH. According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive member CM may be integrally formed with at least one of the sensor patterns in a process of forming the at least one of the sensor patterns. For example, in the process of forming the sensor electrodes 120, the conductive member CM may be integrally formed with each sensor electrode 120.

Referring to fig. 2 and 4, the positions or locations of the sensor electrodes 120 and the sensor wires 130 may vary. For example, the sensor wire 130 may be disposed on the sensor electrode 120.

For example, the sensor electrode 120 may be disposed between the first insulating layer INS1 and the second insulating layer INS2, and the sensor line 130 and the pad 152 may be disposed on the second insulating layer INS 2. In addition, the third insulation layer INS3 may be disposed on the sensor pattern including the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130.

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 4, the conductive member CM may be integrally formed with each of the sensor lines 130 in the process of forming the sensor lines 130. For example, after forming the second insulation layer INS2 and the contact holes CH penetrating the second insulation layer INS2, each of the contact holes CH may be filled with a conductive member CM integrally connected to the corresponding sensor line 130 in a process of forming the sensor line 130 on the second insulation layer INS 2.

When the sensor line 130 and the pad 152 are disposed on the second insulation layer INS2 as described above, a limitation or restriction on temperature or the like may be relaxed in the process of forming the sensor line 130 and the pad 152. For example, compared to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3, the distance from the sensor substrate 110 to the sensor line 130 and the pad 152 may be sufficiently ensured. Thus, in the process of forming the conductive film for forming the sensor line 130 and/or the pad 152, the deposition temperature may be increased to improve film formation quality. Accordingly, physical properties (e.g., mass) of the sensor wire 130 and/or the pad 152 may be improved.

According to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3 and 4, the layer provided with the sensor electrode 120 and the layer provided with the sensor line 130 may be separated as described in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2. Accordingly, uniform sensitivity and visual characteristics can be ensured in the entire sensing area SA, and higher touch sensitivity can be obtained.

In addition, by adjusting or controlling the materials and/or thicknesses of the first, second and third insulating layers INS1, INS2 and INS3, an optical compensation effect in which the sensing region SA is uniformly viewed can be obtained.

Fig. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a section taken along section line I-I' of fig. 2. For example, fig. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the sensor substrate 110 of fig. 2. In the description of the exemplary embodiment of fig. 5, a detailed description of components and/or configurations similar to or identical to those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 5, the sensor substrate 110' may be a multi-layered substrate including a plurality of substrates assembled and/or combined with each other. For example, the sensor substrate 110' may include a first substrate 112 having a first surface on which the sensor electrodes 120 and the sensor lines 130 are disposed, a second substrate 116 disposed on a second surface of the first substrate 112 opposite to the first surface, and a bonding member 114 disposed between the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 116. That is, the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 116 may be assembled and/or combined by the bonding member 114. For example, the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 116 may be combined or bonded to each other through a lamination process.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 116 may be made of a material called a constituent material of the sensor substrate 110 in the foregoing embodiments, and may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. For example, the first substrate 112 and/or the second substrate 116 may be a laminate film. In addition, each of the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 116 may be a transparent or opaque substrate.

According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 116 may be any one of substrate members constituting the display panel and/or the touch sensor, or may be the display panel itself. For example, the first substrate 112 may be a substrate member for forming a sensor pattern including the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130. The second substrate 116 may be a separate touch sensor substrate, a display panel, or at least one of various functional layers (e.g., a polarizing layer, an optical layer, and/or a protective layer disposed inside and/or outside the display panel).

The bonding member 114 may be a medium for bonding or adhering the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 116. According to an exemplary embodiment, the bonding member 114 may be directly formed on one surface of the first substrate 112 or may be disposed between the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 116 through a separate lamination process or the like. For example, the bonding member 114 may be a transparent adhesive such as an optically transparent adhesive (OCA) or an optically transparent resin (OCR), but is not limited thereto.

That is, in the present disclosure, the type or kind, structure, location, and/or material of the sensor substrates 110, 110' may vary.

Fig. 6 illustrates a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 7 and 8 show an embodiment of a section taken along section line II-II' of fig. 6, respectively. For example, FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate various embodiments of a cross-section taken along section line II-II' of FIG. 6.

For convenience, the structure of the sensor unit 100B with respect to any one of the sensor electrodes 120 is schematically shown in fig. 6. The sensor electrodes 120 provided in the sensor unit 100B may have substantially the same or similar structures. In the description of the exemplary embodiments of fig. 6, 7 and 8, detailed descriptions of components and/or configurations similar to or identical to those in the above-described embodiments will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 6, 7 and 8, the sensor unit 100B according to the present embodiment may further include at least one conductive pattern 160 disposed on each of the sensor electrodes 120. That is, the sensor unit 100B may include a plurality of conductive patterns 160 formed on the plurality of sensor electrodes 120. In addition, one or more conductive patterns 160 may be formed on each sensor electrode 120.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive pattern 160 may be locally disposed on top of each contact portion CNT'. For example, each of the conductive patterns 160 may be an island type pattern, and may be independently disposed on top of the corresponding contact portion CNT'. According to an exemplary embodiment, each conductive pattern 160 may be formed with a predetermined margin to have an area larger than that of each contact portion CNT ', thereby completely covering the upper surface of the corresponding contact portion CNT'. In addition, each of the conductive patterns 160 may have various shapes and/or sizes. For example, each conductive pattern 160 may have a circular or oval shape, and may be formed to have a size sufficient to completely cover the corresponding contact portion CNT'.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive pattern 160 may have conductivity by including at least one of a metal material, a transparent conductive material, and various other conductive materials. In addition, the conductive pattern 160 may be made of the same conductive material as that of the sensor electrode 120 and/or the sensor line 130, or may be made of a conductive material different from the conductive material. For example, the conductive pattern 160 and the sensor electrode 120 may be made of the same transparent conductive material. According to an exemplary embodiment, the conductive pattern 160 may be made of an opaque metal material, and the sensor electrode 120 may be made of a transparent conductive material.

The conductive patterns 160 may be electrically connected to the corresponding sensor electrodes 120. For example, as shown in fig. 7, each conductive pattern 160 may be integrally formed with the conductive member CM 'of the corresponding contact portion CNT'. For this, at least one contact hole CH passing through the second insulation layer INS2 and each of the sensor electrodes 120 is formed, and then the respective conductive patterns 160 and the corresponding conductive members CM' may be integrally formed by filling each of the contact holes CH in the process of forming the conductive patterns 160.

As shown in fig. 8, the corresponding contact hole CH may be first filled in the process of forming the sensor electrode 120, and then the insufficiently filled inner space of the contact hole CH and/or the recess or groove of the sensor electrode 120 may be completely filled or covered in the process of forming the conductive pattern 160. When the sensor line 130 is disposed on the sensor electrode 120 as in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 4, at least part of the contact hole CH may be filled in a process of forming the sensor line 130.

In this case, each conductive member CM' may include one or more conductive materials. In addition, the conductive member CM' may be integrally formed with the corresponding sensor line 130 and/or the corresponding conductive pattern 160.

According to the above-described embodiment, the resistance of each contact portion CNT' may be reduced or lowered by additionally forming the conductive pattern 160. For example, in the case where the contact resistance is increased due to the inside of each contact hole CH not being completely filled or foreign matter being introduced into the inside of the contact hole CH, the contact resistance may be reduced or lowered by additionally forming the conductive pattern 160. Therefore, the reliability of the sensor unit 100B can be improved or ensured.

Fig. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the conductive pattern shown in fig. 6, respectively. In the description of the exemplary embodiments of fig. 9, 10 and 11, detailed descriptions of components and/or configurations similar to or identical to those in the above-described embodiments will be omitted. Meanwhile, fig. 12 shows a display unit according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, referring to fig. 9, 10 and 11, the shape, size and/or arrangement direction of each conductive pattern 160 may be variously changed. For example, as shown in fig. 9, each of the conductive patterns 160 may have a square structure (or shape) or a modified square structure in which only each corner portion of the square is curved. In this case, the conductive patterns 160 may have the same width in the first and second directions (e.g., the X and Y directions along which the sensor electrodes 120 are arranged). For example, a width (hereinafter referred to as a first width) W1 of each of the conductive patterns 160 in the first direction is equal to a width (hereinafter referred to as a second width) W2 of each of the conductive patterns 160 in the second direction or substantially the same as the width (hereinafter referred to as a second width) W2 of each of the conductive patterns 160 in the second direction.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the conductive patterns 160 may have a rectangular or elliptical structure, or the like. For example, as shown in fig. 10, each of the conductive patterns 160 may have a rectangular structure (or shape) or a modified rectangular structure in which only each corner portion of the rectangle is curved. In this case, each of the conductive patterns 160 may have different widths in the first and second directions (e.g., the X and Y directions along which the sensor electrode 120 is arranged). For example, in the corresponding conductive pattern 160, the first width W1 may be narrower than the second width W2. That is, each of the conductive patterns 160 may be arranged in the first direction or the second direction, and may have a length direction extending in the first direction or the second direction.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the conductive patterns 160 may be inclined with respect to the first and second directions in which the sensor electrodes 120 are arranged. For example, as shown in fig. 11, each of the conductive patterns 160 may be arranged in an oblique direction oblique to the first and second directions (X and Y directions). When the conductive pattern 160 is formed to be inclined as in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 11, degradation of image quality due to the sensor pattern and/or the pixels 220 may be prevented.

For example, as shown in fig. 12, when the pixels 220 are regularly arranged on the display unit 200 with widths and lengths in the first and second directions, respectively, the conductive patterns 160 may extend and/or be arranged in an oblique direction oblique to the width and length directions (i.e., the first and second directions) of the pixels 220. In this case, the sensor pattern and/or the pixels 220 including the conductive pattern 160 may be prevented from being visually recognized. Here, the conductive pattern 160 may have a rectangular shape extending in an oblique direction, and an angle at which the conductive pattern 160 is inclined may be variously changed in consideration of a pixel arrangement structure, process conditions, and the like.

Fig. 13 illustrates a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of a section taken along section line III-III' of fig. 13. In the description of the exemplary embodiments of fig. 13 and 14, a detailed description of components and/or configurations similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiments (e.g., the exemplary embodiments as in fig. 2 and 3) will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 13 and 14, each of the sensor electrodes 120 and the corresponding sensor line 130 are electrically connected to each other via a plurality of contact portions (e.g., at least the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT 2). That is, in the touch sensor according to the present embodiment, the sensor electrodes 120 and the sensor lines 130 provided in the sensor unit 100C are provided on different layers, and a pair of the sensor electrodes 120 and the sensor lines 130 corresponding to each other may be electrically connected to each other through a plurality of contact portions. For example, each of the sensor electrodes 120 may be electrically connected to one of the sensor lines 130 through the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT 2.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first contact portion CNT1 may include a first contact hole CH1 and a first conductive member CM1 embedded in the first contact hole CH1, and the second contact portion CNT2 may include a second contact hole CH2 and a second conductive member CM2 embedded in the second contact hole CH 2. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 may have substantially the same size, shape, and/or structure, but are not limited thereto.

The first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a region where the corresponding sensor electrode 120 is disposed. In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment, the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 may be arranged on a straight line. For example, the first and second contact portions CNT1 and CNT2 and the corresponding sensor lines 130 may be arranged on a straight line in a region where the corresponding sensor electrodes 120 are disposed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the arrangement and/or distribution form of the first and second contact portions CNT1 and CNT2 may vary. For example, according to an embodiment, the arrangement and/or distribution form of the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 may be changed in various forms.

According to the above-described embodiment, the contact resistance between the corresponding sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130 can be reduced by electrically connecting the sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130 via a plurality of contact portions. Further, the structure of the above-described embodiment can be usefully applied to a bendable or foldable flexible display device. For example, when one region in the sensor unit 100C is deformed, even in the case where connection is broken in a contact portion (e.g., any one of the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT 2) at or near the region where the deformation occurs, connection between the corresponding sensor electrode 120 and the sensor line 130 can be maintained by the other contact portion (e.g., the other one of the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT 2). Therefore, the reliability of the sensor unit 100C can be ensured.

Fig. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. In the descriptions of the exemplary embodiments of fig. 15, 16, and 17, detailed descriptions of components and/or configurations similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiments (e.g., the exemplary embodiment as in fig. 13) will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 15, the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 corresponding to each sensor electrode 120 may be disposed at arbitrary positions in a region where the corresponding sensor electrode 120 is disposed. The first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 may be physically and/or electrically connected to each other through the branch wiring 132 including at least two sub-wiring portions (e.g., the first sub-wiring portion 132a and the second sub-wiring portion 132 b).

In detail, the sensor unit 100D according to the present embodiment may further include a branch wiring 132 overlapped with each sensor electrode 120. That is, the sensor unit 100D may include a plurality of branch wirings 132 respectively overlapped with the plurality of sensor electrodes 120.

The first and second sub-wiring portions 132a and 132b respectively connect a plurality of contact portions (e.g., the first and second contact portions CNT1 and CNT 2) corresponding to the respective sensor electrodes 120 to each other. Therefore, by additionally providing the first and second sub-wiring portions 132a and 132b, restrictions on the positioning of the first and second contact portions CNT1 and CNT2 can be relaxed, and restrictions or restrictions on design can also be relaxed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 need not be disposed on a straight line with the corresponding sensor line 130, so that a plurality of contact portions including the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 may be dispersed at arbitrary positions. In this case, one region of each of the branch wirings 132 may be inclined obliquely with respect to the first and second directions in which the sensor electrode 120 is arranged, or may be bent or curved at least one point.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the branch wirings 132 may have conductivity by including at least one of a metal material, a transparent conductive material, and various other conductive materials. In addition, each of the branch wirings 132 may be transparent or opaque.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the branch wirings 132 may be formed together with the sensor lines 130 in a process of forming the sensor lines 130. For example, the branch wirings 132 may be integrally connected to the respective sensor lines 130. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor line 130 and the branch wiring 132 may be separately formed, and a pair of the sensor line 130 and the branch wiring 132 corresponding to each other may be electrically connected through at least one contact hole.

Referring to fig. 16, each of the sensor electrodes 120 and the corresponding sensor line 130 may be electrically connected through three or more contact holes. For example, at least the first, second, and third contact portions CNT1, CNT2, and CNT3 may be scattered in the region where each sensor electrode 120 is disposed.

In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment, each of the branch wirings 132 may include at least three sub-wiring portions. For example, each branch wiring 132 may include a first sub-wiring portion 132a, a second sub-wiring portion 132b, and a third sub-wiring portion 132c that respectively connect the corresponding sensor line 130 to the first contact portion CNT1, the second contact portion CNT2, and the third contact portion CNT 3. That is, according to an exemplary embodiment, each of the first, second, and third sub-wiring portions 132a, 132b, and 132c may connect one of the first, second, and third contact portions CNT1, CNT2, and CNT3 to the corresponding sensor line 130.

Referring to fig. 17, each of the branch wirings 132 may include at least two sub-wiring portions 132a and 132b, and each of the sub-wiring portions may connect at least two contact portions to each other. For example, in the region where each sensor electrode 120 is provided, a first contact portion CNT1 connected to the corresponding sensor line 130 and second to fifth contact portions CNT2 to CNT5 radially disposed around the first contact portion CNT1 may be provided. In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment, each of the branch wirings 132 may include a first sub-wiring portion 132a connecting the first contact portion CNT1 to the second contact portion CNT2 and the third contact portion CNT3 and a second sub-wiring portion 132b connecting the first contact portion CNT1 to the fourth contact portion CNT4 and the fifth contact portion CNT5.

As in the above-described embodiments, the shapes, structures, and/or positions of the plurality of contact portions including the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 and the branch wirings 132 may be variously changed according to the embodiments.

Fig. 18, 19, 20, and 21 illustrate a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. In the description of the exemplary embodiments of fig. 18, 19, 20, and 21, detailed descriptions of components and/or configurations similar to or identical to those of the above-described embodiments (e.g., the exemplary embodiments as in fig. 6 to 17) will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 18, 19, 20 and 21, the multi-contact structure described in the exemplary embodiments of fig. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 may be applied to the sensor unit 100E according to the present embodiment together with the contact enhancing structure described in the exemplary embodiments of fig. 6 to 12. For example, a plurality of contact portions including the first contact portion CNT1 and the second contact portion CNT2 may be disposed in a region where each sensor electrode 120 is disposed. Further, according to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of contact portions may be connected through the respective branch wirings 132. In addition, the conductive patterns 160 independently provided on the respective contact portions may be further provided in the region where each sensor electrode 120 is provided.

In the exemplary embodiments of fig. 19, 20 and 21, the branch wirings 132 may be integrally connected to the conductive patterns 160 provided on the respective sensor electrodes 120. The branch wirings 132 may be integrally connected to the respective sensor lines 130.

According to the above-described embodiments, the contact resistance between each of the sensor electrodes 120 and the corresponding sensor line 130 can be effectively reduced, and the sensor electrodes 120 and the corresponding sensor line 130 can be stably connected.

Fig. 22 illustrates a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, fig. 22 shows an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement of the sensor electrodes 120. In the description of the exemplary embodiment of fig. 22, a detailed description of components and/or configurations similar to or identical to those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to fig. 22, the sensor unit 100F according to the present embodiment may be a mutual capacitance sensor unit. The sensor unit 100F may include the first electrode 122 and the second electrode 124 distributed in the sensing region SA without being overlapped with each other.

In detail, the sensor electrode 120 may include a plurality of first electrodes 122 and a plurality of second electrodes 124. The plurality of first electrodes 122 may be arranged along a first direction (e.g., an X-direction), and each of the first electrodes 122 may extend in a second direction (e.g., a Y-direction) crossing the first direction. A plurality of second electrodes 124 may be disposed between the first electrodes 122 and spaced apart from the first electrodes 122. In addition, the plurality of second electrodes 124 may be arranged in the first direction and the second direction. For this, the second electrode 124 may be divided into a smaller size than that of the first electrode 122. For example, each of the second electrodes 124 may have a size smaller than that of each of the first electrodes 122.

One set of electrodes (e.g., the electrodes of either of the first electrode 122 and the second electrode 124) of the first electrode 122 and the second electrode 124 may be drive electrodes, while the electrodes of the other set may be sense electrodes. For example, if the first electrode 122 is a driving electrode, the second electrode 124 is a sensing electrode. If the first electrode 122 is a sensing electrode, the second electrode 124 is a driving electrode.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the respective X-coordinate of the touch input may be defined by the first electrode 122 and the respective Y-coordinate of the touch input may be defined by the second electrode 124. Further, according to an exemplary embodiment, the second electrodes 124 may be connected to different sensing channels (or driving channels), or the second electrodes 124 arranged on the same horizontal line may be connected to the same sensing channel (or the same driving channel).

The contact structure according to at least one of the above embodiments may be applied to the touch sensor according to the present embodiment. For example, the sensor unit 100F according to the present embodiment may include a multi-contact structure using a plurality of contact portions CNT and branch wirings 132, and a contact enhancing structure using a conductive pattern 160 covering the tops of the respective contact portions CNT. That is, the above-described embodiments of the present invention described above can be widely applied to touch sensors having various structures and/or driving methods.

Various embodiments provide a touch sensor and a display device including the same. According to the touch sensor and the display device, the visibility of the sensing area and the uniformity of sensitivity of the entire touch sensor can be improved or ensured. In addition, as the spacing or distance between the sensor electrodes decreases, even fine and/or weak touch inputs may be detected. Further, as the width of each sensor line is lengthened, the influence of noise can be reduced. Accordingly, a high-sensitivity touch sensor and a display device including the same can be provided.

Some advantages that may be achieved by exemplary embodiments of the invention include reducing non-uniform visual characteristics of the sensing region and reducing the effects of noise in the sensing lines and improving touch sensitivity by reducing dead zones and increasing line spacing of the sensor lines. Furthermore, the contact resistance between the sensor electrode and the sensor line can be reduced.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from the description. Therefore, the inventive concept is not limited to these embodiments, but is to be defined by the appended claims and the wide scope of various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A touch sensor, the touch sensor comprising:

A first substrate;

a plurality of sensor electrodes spaced apart from each other on a first layer on one surface of the first substrate;

a plurality of sensor lines disposed on a second layer different from the first layer;

A contact portion electrically connecting a sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes to a sensor line of the plurality of sensor lines; and

And branch wirings overlapping the sensor electrodes and connecting the contact portions corresponding to the sensor electrodes in parallel with each other.

2. The touch sensor of claim 1, further comprising:

Conductive patterns, which are respectively and independently disposed on the contact portions, and are electrically connected to the sensor electrodes.

3. The touch sensor of claim 2, wherein the branch wirings are integrally connected to the conductive pattern on the sensor electrode.

4. The touch sensor of claim 2, wherein each of the conductive patterns completely covers an upper surface of each of the contact portions and has an area larger than an area of each of the contact portions.

5. The touch sensor of claim 2, wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes extend or are arranged in a first direction and a second direction.

6. The touch sensor of claim 5, wherein the conductive pattern is arranged along the first direction or the second direction.

7. The touch sensor of claim 5, wherein the conductive pattern is arranged in an oblique direction that is oblique to the first and second directions.

8. The touch sensor of claim 5, wherein the conductive pattern has a first width and a second width in the first direction and the second direction, respectively; and

Wherein the first width is equal to the second width.

9. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the branch wirings are integrally connected to the sensor lines, respectively.

10. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein an area of each of the branch wirings is inclined with respect to a direction in which the plurality of sensor electrodes are arranged, or is bent or curved at least at one point.

11. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein each of the branch wirings comprises a plurality of sub-wiring portions, and

Each of the plurality of sub-wiring portions connects at least two of the contact portions to each other or connects one of the contact portions to a corresponding sensor line.

12. The touch sensor of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a first insulating layer disposed between the first substrate and the plurality of sensor electrodes and a second insulating layer disposed between the plurality of sensor electrodes and the plurality of sensor lines.

13. The touch sensor of claim 12, wherein the plurality of sensor lines are disposed between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, and

Wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes are located on top of the second insulating layer.

14. The touch sensor of claim 12, wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes are disposed between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, and

Wherein the plurality of sensor lines are located on top of the second insulating layer.

15. The touch sensor of claim 12, further comprising a third insulating layer over the plurality of sensor electrodes and the plurality of sensor lines.

16. The touch sensor of claim 1, further comprising:

A second substrate disposed on the other surface of the first substrate; and

And a bonding member disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.

17. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes are arranged in a matrix along a first direction and a second direction.

18. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensor electrodes comprises:

a first electrode arranged along a first direction and each extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction; and

And second electrodes disposed between the first electrodes to be spaced apart from the first electrodes, the second electrodes being divided into a smaller size than that of the first electrodes, and being arranged in plurality along the first and second directions, respectively.

19. A display device, the display device comprising:

A pixel disposed in the display region;

a plurality of sensor electrodes spaced apart from each other on a first layer in a sensing region overlapping the display region;

20. The display device according to claim 19, further comprising:

conductive patterns, respectively and independently disposed on the contact portions,

Wherein the conductive pattern is arranged in an oblique direction oblique to the width direction and the length direction of the pixel.